And that the sprinters who return from Olympic Games with medals are those who have nothing but tunnel vision.

For right or for wrong, Stuart Pearce displayed such attributes yesterday as the prospect of Welsh involvement in Team GB football took another step closer.

From the moment a combined UK side was mooted for entry into this summer’s London Games there have been arguments raging about the make-up of the squad Team GB coach Pearce is set to announce early next month.

Wales manager Chris Coleman only earlier this week has reiterated his opposition to the likes of Gareth Bale and skipper Aaron Ramsey taking part in a competition so close to the start of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers this autumn.

And while the Celtic nations have been minority voices in this debate for a while, the unmistakable tones of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger can now be heard as they sounded warnings against the use of their star players.

Yet Pearce, a fearless full-back in his playing days, was at his belligerent best as the draw for the Olympic men’s football tournament was made at Wembley.

He had no interest in picking a quota squad, he had no issue in fighting clubs if they refused him players.

His ambition was British gold and he is going to show little care for anyone who stands in his way. Or what comes of such tunnel vision.

“I will speak to managers in time and we will let them know which of their players will be in contention,” said Pearce about club bosses starting to stand firm against the inclusion of their players at the end of an exhausting season.

Including, notably, Wenger with regard to midfielder Ramsey.

“But we are talking about Great Britain, the Olympic games and – if you strip it down for the players – an opportunity of a lifetime.

“Lionel Messi took his club to court four years ago such was the strength of feeling about wanting to play.

“If I was part of a football club or still playing I wouldn’t want to get caught up in a legal battle, but we’re not talking about taking players for a whole season.

“We’re not asking them to miss a competitive match. We’re asking them to compete in the Olympics on home soil.

“I can’t change the opinions of those who are against it. But their opinions won’t come into my thinking because if I make one selection proviso then I would have to do it for everybody.

“The most important thing for me is my duty of care to Great Britain to win a gold medal.”

Specifically Pearce was talking about the fears of the Premier League about losing key men just weeks before the start of a new campaign.

But for club you could read country.

Wales’ initial argument over their players’ involvement was based on the risk of jeopardising independent status within the global game.

That still stands, but the greater outcry seems now to be over Coleman’s men being involved in an age-grade competition so close to a qualifying campaign.

The final for the Olympic men’s tournament is just days before Wales’ final World Cup warm-up friendly with Bosnia.

However, Pearce has eyes only for gold, dismissing any need to converse with Coleman until his squad is picked and suggesting Gary Speed’s successor has given his blessing.

“No-one’s guided me or pushed me in regards to picking home nation players, English players, or certain individual players,” said Pearce, the latter remark referring to the poster boy presence of David Beckham, 37, in the 80-man shortlist.

“Form and fitness will dictate what the best squad will be.

“The players’ nationalities have not been a consideration at any stage. From the off-set I have had no contingent to put in a quota of individuals from certain nations.

“I don’t think it is the right or proper thing to do and I don’t think any manager would do that.

“I won’t speak to managers until I’m in a situation where I know exactly what the squad will be so I’ve not spoken to Chris directly.

“I have spoken to him when at games together and all he has said to me what a great opportunity it was to play in an Olympic Games.

“We are in a situation where there might not be another British Olympic football team in our lifetime and this could be a stand-alone, a one-off.

“The excitement will be generated by the players involved and all those I’ve spoken to are excited and extremely honoured and proud at the prospects at being part of it.”

Pearce went on to reiterate his comments that the competition would be fantastic for the country at large, perhaps unwisely referencing the Euro ‘96 tournament staged by England and where he was part of a host side that reached the semi-finals.

And while it can be doubted that any of the Celtic nations share the same view of that tournament – certainly the Scots who exited at the group stage after being beaten by England – there was a lack of a major tournament buzz at yesterday’s draw.

With no English FA announcement on Fabio Capello’s successor, there is still the chance that Pearce could still be eyeing two finals this summer as he plots Euro 2012 success as interim manager.

Yet Pearce was adamant he was not prioritising the Three Lions over Team GB, claiming he was able to wear two hats when scouting at games, although his upcoming trip to watch Beckham in the MLS would assume to be for the Olympics alone.

He confirmed he would name his Team GB squad by May 17, enough time to give “plenty of warning with regards to the players’ summer break and for a fitness programme.”

Pearce also claimed the early announcement would be to help clubs such as Swansea City – who will be sweating on losing as many as three players from their pre-season – plan accordingly.

With Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy two of a number of “over-age” players touted for inclusion, Pearce said his selection would be based around his pool of under 23-year-olds first before opting which three seniors to utilise to reinforce weak areas.

But with Bale likely to lead the Welsh contingent, there was a suggestion that he and other Premier League stars can forget being given the 5-star treatment when it comes to group clashes with Senegal, UAE and Uruguay.

“Footballers are no different to any other athlete and it will be great to have them in the village,” said BOA chief Andy Hunt.

“It’s good to see Stuart Pearce working with us on our One Team GB ethos.”

No wonder there was such single-mindedness on display.

Whether this tournament is agreeable to the Welsh football fan or not, gold fever has started in London.